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Jaina Acara : Siddhanta aura Swarūpa such a high order that their urine, faeces, spittle and touch of the hand cured even hopeless patients. Many were talented geniuses and could even fly in the sky.
(13) Rājaprasniya - Suryabhadeva, in this play, has dramatised the life of Lord Mahavira. It relates also the spiritual exploits of Kesi.
(14) Uttarādhyayana - It emphasizes the need of modesty and humility in the life of an ascetic. A living and keen interest in scriptures, abiding faith and exemplary self-discipline are necessary assets to become a dependable ascetic. He should ever be alert like the fabulous bird Bhāranda'
Those not having religious feeling and engrossed in worldly affairs die an unwise death whereas those gifted with discrimination embrace a wise death. This should be the desideratum of ascetics as also of lay votaries. The ascetic who still craves for the world is like a goat which has been served with enticing grass. The right ascetic is like a cow which eats whatever green or dry is given to it. There is no end to craving for things. One longing leads to another and has the tendency to augment. It is limitless like the sky above. It is just possible that at the time of initiation the aspirant may still entertain some lingering desire for the world. Indra here represents the Brahāmanic tradition and Nami of the ascetic. For being a Jaina ascetic there are no barriers of caste, creed, colour and sex. The sage Harikesabala was a bom untouchable but his good qualities made him pre-eminent among ascetics. He who cannot be an ascetic should at least be a law-abiding householder. An ascetic is called a 'Natha' which means a master of senses. He who is a slave to them is ‘Anātha' i.e. a servant or beggar.
There are times when an aspirant may inadvertently lapse. As Räjimati boosted Rathanemi, so also all aspirants should remain firm so as to face all temptations by being indifferent to them. The Brahmana is he who observes the vow of celibacy. It deals with the proper conduct of ascetics too. A pert pupil is like a mischievous bullock. The aspirant's valour lies in his capacity to look within and know his self. Self-restraint has been explained through questions and answers. Spiced food, copulation and attachment obstruct the path of aspirants. Ascetics should stay at a cemetery, an uninhabitated place, under a tree or in houses built strictly for others.
(15) Dasavaikālika - It is a remarkable canonical text dealing with various topics. Just as a black bee collects a little juice from variegated flowers without injuring them in the least, so also an ascetic should collect alms from different houses without being a burden to any one of them. To have alms from a single house is prohibited. Patience is always needed for spiritual endeavour. Rājimati says to Rathanemi, *A snake, when enmeshed
in a burning fire, dies heroically but never takes back the poison that it Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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